The PhDCS is a broad program with curricular flexibility that values not only previous training but also the diverse specialized paths in whichever biomedical area students choose.
The research projects are usually developed (even though it is not mandatory) within the research domains at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute: Surgical Sciences, Neurosciences and Microbiology and Infection.
Applications are always open, as detailed in Access.
PhDCS has two study plans, one with three years (180 ECTS) and another with four years (240 ECTS). Both study plans include a common curricular unit, which corresponds to the design of the thesis (15 ECTS) that takes place during the first year. In the 180 ECTS study plan, the remaining 165 ECTS era totally devoted to developing the thesis. In the 240 ECTS study plan, the remaining 225 ECTS are dedicated to optional curricular units (45 ECTS) that may be selected from a wide range of choices, and to the thesis (180 ECTS) – which should be developed during the four years of the study plan.
PhDCS students enter the program usually with PhD scholarships from national or international funding agencies. There are two ways to obtain scholarships for this program: 1) through individual applications to national (namely the Portuguese national funding agency for science, research and technology, FCT) and international (often within Marie Curie programs) funding agencies; 2) through applications to a specific study plan that directly launches a call for applications [e.g. PhD in Applied Health Sciences, (240 ECTS), which has specific funding for 2015-2011 (applications in 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019); or the PhD in Advanced Therapies for Health (240 ECTS) (more information here http://path.3bs.uminho.pt/)]. To apply to these grants check the procedures in Access.
The FCT PhD program in Applied Health Sciences (PhDiHES) is a partnership with several companies:
- EUROTRIALS, Consultores Científicos, S.A.
- BNML, Behavioral and Molecular Lab, Lda
- ENLIGHTNMENT, Lda
- iCognitus4ALL – IT Solutions, Lda
- iSurgical3D, Lda
- TMG - Tecidos Plastificados e Outros Revestimentos Para a Indústria Automóvel, S.A.
- José de Mello Saúde, S.A.
- Stemmatters – Biotecnologia e Medicina Regenerativa, S.A.
- BIAL Portela & Cª, S.A.
PhDiHES is a part of the PhD in Health Sciences, although it has some particularities: all the curricular units need to take place in the first curricular year, students need to make a lab rotation in a business setting and the thesis project needs to be developed jointly with a company.
The PhD in Health Sciences is part of the Network of European Neuroscience Schools.
There are two ways of applying to the PhD in Health Sciences.
Spontaneous application
Always open.
1st step: contact nac@med.uminho.pt and send your CV; an interview will be scheduled with the director of the program;
2nd step: interview. During the interview a possible PhD project, advisors, and the methods are discussed. A formal PhD project is to be prepared and defended in front of a jury that includes members of the PhD program directive board.
3rd step: the PhD project is submitted for final approval by the Scientific Council of the Medical School.
Applications within specific calls for scholarships:
These applications take place whenever scholarships are available for this effect.
In these cases, the application must be completed following the guidelines and timing specified in the program's webpage at https://www.med.uminho.pt.
